Installation Guide

Step 1 Cedar or pressure-treated pine 4x4 railing posts provide the structural
strength for the railing. The length of each post is determined by the total of the
stair stringer width (7-1/4") + tread thickness (1") + railing height (36" or 42") +
spacing for post cap (1-1/4") = 45-1/2" or 51-1/2".
Step 2 Position, plumb with a level, and clamp the rail post on the interior face
of the stair stringer. Plumb again. The 4x4 railing post should be bolted to the
inside of the stair stringer using two 1/2" x 6" galvanized carriage bolts. Corner
posts use a third carriage bolt inserted through the adjacent joist. Ground-level
posts should be set in concrete.
Step 3 Complete stair tread installation prior to installing post sleeves. Trim 4x4
post sleeves to length. Post sleeves should be a minimum of 1-1/2" longer than
the railing height to accommodate a post cap. Slide a trimmed post sleeve
over each 4x4 railing post. Use shims as needed to create a snug fit. Slide a
post base trim over each post sleeve.
Step 4 Note: The rails are pre-drilled. To ensure the outer balusters are equally
spaced, the rail components require trimming at both ends. Using the lower
pre-drilled rail as a guide, place it adjacent the post sleeves and center the rail
so the furthest pre-drilled holes for the balusters are equal distances from the
post sleeves. Using the posts as a guide, mark the angle for the beveled cut
vertically through the rail section. Mark the gap between the posts onto the
rail and trim to fit.
Step 5 Note: To ensure the balusters are installed plumb, the holes between
the rail sections must all be aligned. Tip: Use a gauge pin or a 3/32" drill bit to
ensure the holes are aligned. Using the trimmed lower rail as a guide, set the
upper inner rail on top of the trimmed lower rail and align the pre-drilled holes.
Mark the cut lines on the inner rail with a pencil. Note: To allow for the thickness
of the brackets, the inner rails should be 1/8" shorter than the lower rails with all
holes equally spaced. Remove an additional 1/16" from the pencil mark on each
end and trim the inner rail to length. Repeat for the second inner rail (fig. 7).
Step 6 Assemble the lower inner rail and support block assembly. Position the
bottom rail between the posts. Check building code requirements for maximum
spacing on a staircase, typically less than 6". A 6" ball cannot pass through the
triangle formed by the bottom rail, tread and riser (fig. 8). A support block is
needed every 2' on-center. Trim support blocks to desired height and pre-drill
1/8" holes in the proper location. Holes must be centered on the inner rail for
support blocks to fit properly. Using the support block connectors, fasten
support blocks to the underside of the inner rail.
Step 7 Mark the height of the brackets on the inside of the post using the bracket
placement template included in the kit. Another option is to use the inner rail
as a guide. The top of the bracket should be even with the top of the inner rail
assembly. Drill two 1/8" holes through the bracket holes shown on the template
and through the post sleeve, for both the upper and lower brackets. Remove
the bracket placement template from the post sleeve and fasten the upper and
lower brackets to the post using two 2" countersunk screws.
Tip: For best results, use a long drill bit or add an extension bit to the drill.
Repeat on the adjacent post. Set the inner rail in place and pre-drill eight 1/8"
holes at each bracket hole and into the inner rail. Fasten the rail to the bracket
using eight 1" long countersunk screws.
Step 8 Set the lower rail on the lower inner rail between the posts. Using two
2-1/2" countersunk screws, set the two outermost connectors. For Deckorators
aluminum or glass balusters, use the appropriate stair adaptor (sold separately)
with the proper baluster connector (sold separately). Using the 1" screws included
with the rail kit, install the remaining baluster connectors onto the lower rail
assembly.
Stair Railing Installation Instructions
Mark angle and length
of the lower rail using
the posts as a guide.
Outer holes should
be equal distance
from posts.
Minimum distance
2-5/16"
Cut inner rail
1/16” shorter
than rail at
both ends.
Align holes in rail
and inner rail.
Use lower rail as
a guide to mark
inner rail length.
4 x 4 Post Sleeve
4 x 4 Post
fig. 7
fig. 8